2004.10.25 safire
Even if Bush does have the best policy regarding Israel-Palestine and the so-called global war on terror (GWOT), he's done a horrible job explaining himself to the very people that could help win over the "hearts & minds" of people in the region. Having half-a-million Arab Americans telling their friends back home that the President is doing good by them might be A Good Thing(tm).
Another reason why Bush is no Reagan. Does that hurt Bush the elder when his son prefers to compare himself to Bush 41's political rival instead of his own father?
The war to win the hearts & minds was first uttered about that other land war in Asia.